Working long hours, using your own money to pay for classroom materials, and struggling to engage students who are ready for summer vacation—yes, doing all that makes teaching a tough job. Now add the challenge of getting kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia on track academically, plus endless meetings and mountains of paperwork, and you’ll have the role of a special education teacher. But here’s a secret: The people who work with kids in special ed do it because really, really love their work.
[quote position="full" is_quote="true"]I wish everyone knew how much our students want to learn and how they try.[/quote]
That’s what becomes evident when you watch this short video created by The Mighty, which asked the special educators in their community to answer a question: “What’s one secret about your job you wish the rest of the world knew?” They compiled the responses from about two dozen teachers onto Post-its and let the words speak for themselves.
The Post-its feature plenty of real talk all educators can relate to—no, do NOT send a sick kid to school—as well as inspiring truths about how rewarding it is to teach kids with learning disabilities. “I wish everyone knew how much our students want to learn and how they try,” wrote one teacher.
And perhaps some of the people who view this video will want to learn more about exactly what special ed teachers do. After all, the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services reports that 49 out of 50 states are facing a shortage of qualified special ed teachers, so folks who feel the same passion as the educators in this clip are needed.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.